When famous mystery writer Lilliane Bomberger is found deadburied up to her neck on the beach behind her houseCarolus Deene, schoolmaster and amateur sleuth, is called upon to help the baffled police. Deene finds it difficult to pry information from Bomberger's associates, relatives and domestic staff (all of whom detested and were terrified of the woman). Soon another corpse is found and Deene decides to depart for his hometownboth because he is frustrated by the cases and because of pressure from the headmaster of his school, who fears unfavorable publicity. But as he prepares to leave, yet another murder occurs, and Deene reveals a theory that solves all three crimes. Wry English humor abounds in this eighth Carolus Deene mystery, making it an amusing, satisfying page-turner.(October)